Lady Eagles rally past Deerfield-Windsor, turn attention to state tournament

DAWSON — Deerfield-Windsor landed the first punch Tuesday afternoon. Terrell Academy’s response showed coach Ashley Walker exactly what he hoped a demanding regular-season schedule had taught his team.

The Lady Eagles erased an early three-run deficit with six runs in the bottom of the first inning, then pulled away for a 13-3 region victory over the Lady Knights in Dawson.

It was the opening act of rivalry week between the schools, which will meet again Friday night when Terrell Academy’s football team travels to Albany to face Deerfield-Windsor.

After that, both softball teams will turn their attention to next week’s state tournament in Columbus.

Terrell Academy completed its regular season 12-7 overall and 6-2 in region play, finishing second behind nine-time defending state champion Westfield. Deerfield-Windsor finished fourth in the region with a 6-13 overall record. Final state tournament seedings are expected to be announced this weekend.

“I believe our tough schedule has put us in some hard situations and has challenged us to grow collectively as a team,” Walker said.

That growth was tested almost immediately Tuesday.

Nine Deerfield-Windsor batters came to the plate in the top of the first. With two outs and the bases loaded, Millie Champion drove a double into center field to score two runs. Reynolds Bryson followed with an RBI single to right, giving the Lady Knights a 3-0 lead.

Terrell Academy did not allow the early deficit to linger.

A walk, three Deerfield-Windsor errors and doubles from Jacey Lane and Jaelyn Oliver helped the Lady Eagles score four runs before the first out was recorded in the bottom of the inning.

By the time Deerfield-Windsor escaped, Terrell Academy had sent a parade of hitters to the plate, scored six runs and turned a three-run deficit into a 6-3 advantage.

The response reflected the resilience Walker believes his team developed by repeatedly being placed in uncomfortable situations throughout the season.

“I’m really proud of our girls because they never shied away from the challenge,” Walker said. “They truly saw the benefits of being pushed to play at a high and uncomfortable level at times.”

The Lady Eagles kept pushing in the second inning.

Alyssa Godwin led off with a double, Laine Brown singled and Michaela Zingarelli added another double as Terrell Academy scored four more runs and stretched its lead to 10-3.

Hadley Webb delivered an RBI single to center in the third, and the Lady Eagles eventually increased the margin to 10 runs to end the game early.

Caroline Presley earned the victory in the circle, limiting Deerfield-Windsor to three runs on nine hits over 4⅔ innings. She struck out two and did not issue a walk. Zingarelli recorded the final out in relief.

Mary Ruth Courtney pitched four innings for Deerfield-Windsor. She allowed 13 runs, but only three were earned as defensive mistakes repeatedly extended Terrell Academy’s innings.

Lane and Zingarelli led the Lady Eagles with three hits apiece. Webb drove in a team-high three runs, while Godwin, Brown and Oliver helped fuel the early rallies. Terrell Academy also turned two double plays behind Presley.

Champion led Deerfield-Windsor from the No. 9 spot in the lineup, finishing 2-for-3 with a double and two RBIs. Bryson and Jennings Curington also collected two hits apiece.

Tuesday’s victory closed a regular season that included its share of difficult opponents and uncomfortable moments for Terrell Academy. Walker believes those challenges have positioned the Lady Eagles to enter Columbus ready for what comes next.

“I feel good about where we are and what we were able to accomplish this regular season,” Walker said. “Now it’s time to try and stay consistent and compete in all areas of the game.”

Before the state tournament begins, however, the rivalry shifts venues.

On Friday night, Deerfield-Windsor and Terrell Academy will trade the softball diamond for the football field.